Thai durians remain China’s top choice amid safety upgrades
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has expressed confidence that Thai durians will continue to be the preferred choice in China, following enhancements to food safety and contamination screenings.
Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, after her recent visit to China, reported discussions with Sun Meijun, Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, concerning Thai fruit imports. Thailand is the leading fruit exporter to China, with Thai durians holding a 57% market share.
Narumon highlighted that Thailand exports durians worth between 130 to 140 billion baht annually, with an anticipated increase in value by 2025.
Addressing concerns about contamination with Basic Yellow 2 (BY2), a carcinogenic food colouring found in Thai durians exported to China, she stated that the Department of Agriculture has been directed to adhere to pre-export screening procedures as requested by the Chinese authorities.
The National Fruit Product Development and Management Policy Committee, known as the Fruit Board, has been tasked with screening for BY2, other carcinogenic substances like cadmium, and insect contamination. Laboratories have been mobilised to carry out these inspections, with at least five already prepared. However, more facilities are required due to rising demand for Thai durians, which generate over 100 billion baht in annual revenue.
In another development, Narumon revealed that a quarantine facility for livestock has been set up in Chiang Rai to facilitate Thai beef and live cattle exports to China.
The ministry has been working on exporting cattle products to China since 2019 but has faced challenges due to Thailand’s status on the watch list for animal hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreaks.
Measures to ensure cattle health standards, including quarantine procedures, have been launched and included in last year’s cattle export report to the Chinese authorities. The facility provides physical examinations for cattle before export via the Mekong River or by rail, reported Bangkok Post.
The committee overseeing the national policy on beef cattle and buffalo product development, known as the Beef Board, has approved the acquisition of additional vaccines to boost disease protection in cattle from 50 to 60% to 100%.
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